CARY, N.C. — The Executive Committee of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s board of directors unanimously endorsed a Cooperative Program (CP) budget proposal for 2026 that totals $30 million during a regularly scheduled meeting held Tuesday, July 15, via video conference call.
Under the proposal, CP receipts will be allocated equally between N.C. Baptist ministries and global ministry partners to support international missions, North American church planting and theological education through six national seminaries for the third consecutive year.
The proposal also calls for nearly 12% of the total receipts to go to N.C. Baptist related entities, which includes the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, the Biblical Recorder, Fruitland Baptist Bible College and Provision Financial Resources.
The proposal, which was approved as recommended by the board’s Budget Special Committee, will now be presented to the full N.C. Baptist board of directors for consideration at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting in September. Following action by the board, the final budget proposal will be presented to messengers attending the N.C. Baptist annual meeting in November for approval.
Hurricane Helene significantly impacted Cooperative Program giving in 2024. Convention officials said that while they anticipate finishing this year ahead of last year’s $28.1 million in CP receipts, projections suggest total receipts for 2025 will still fall short of this year’s $31 million budget. That reality led the budget committee to recommend a $30 million budget proposal for 2026.
“This is a responsible number but still gives us something to shoot for,” said N.C. Baptist Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker.
The Executive Committee also endorsed a recommendation that calls for any CP receipts in excess of the approved 2026 budget to be allocated equally between N.C. Baptists’ life initiatives and mission engagement initiatives. That measure will also be considered by the N.C. Baptist board of directors and messengers.
In addition, the Executive Committee endorsed a $2.8 million goal for the 2026 North Carolina Missions Offering (NCMO), a $200,000 increase over the current goal. The NCMO supports disaster response and other ministries of Baptists on Mission, church planting and missions projects in local Baptist associations. Proposed allocations for the offering would remain unchanged from this year, with 62% going to Baptists on Mission ministries, 28% to church planting and 10% to associational missions. The NCMO goal and allocations will also be considered by the N.C. Baptist board and messengers.
Financial update
During the meeting, N.C. Baptist officials reported that through the end of June, Cooperative Program receipts have totaled slightly less than $13.5 million, which is about 1.2% below year-over-year receipts.
Officials also shared updates on giving to special offerings. Through the end of June, gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions have totaled more than $10.2 million, gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions totaled more than $5.5 million and gifts to the North Carolina Missions Offering totaled more than $687,000.
Fruitland advisory team update
N.C. Baptist Associate Executive Director-Treasurer Brian Upshaw also shared an interim update on behalf of the advisory team that was formed earlier this year to assist Fruitland Baptist Bible College navigate the changing landscape of Christian higher education. The team was formed earlier this year at the request of Fruitland President David Horton. Upshaw shared the report on behalf of advisory team Chairman Steve Scoggins, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church of Hendersonville and longtime Fruitland faculty member.
Upshaw said the team has held monthly meetings since March and has identified a number of internal and external challenges facing the school. Upshaw said the team has expressed a “desire to see Fruitland poised to be bright and innovative for the future of preparing Christian leaders for North Carolina Baptists.”
The team has future meetings scheduled and plans to present a more detailed update to the N.C. Baptist board of directors in September, with final recommendations slated to come in January 2026.
Other business
In other business, the Executive Committee approved a recommendation to appoint current N.C. Baptist board member Mike Smith to fill a vacancy on the Fruitland Baptist Bible College board of directors. Smith serves on the pastoral staff at Providence Baptist Church in Harrisburg.
Additionally, the Executive Committee approved a recommendation to appoint Ronjour Locke to fill a vacancy on the N.C. Baptist board of directors. Locke serves as pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Raleigh.
